Absent of huts and civilization, this backpacking tour offers an authentic Patagonian experience at a fraction of the price. Our Best of Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut hiking tour can only be done when the mountain huts in the central Julian Alps are open. GO Check out our Free Webcast - Hiking Hut to Hut in the Alps. This is the classic Swiss experience. The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is quickly gaining international notoriety and offers a more challenging and dramatic approach than the Inca Trail to the iconic Inca ruins. Nestled in a dramatic corner of the French Alps, snug against the Swiss border, and hours away from the hustle and bustle in the Mont Blanc region, this hut to hut hike delivers all the beauty, nature, and charm that your heart may desire. Beginning among the shadows of the Mont Blanc Massif, and ending in the presence of The Matterhorn, this route impresses throughout each stage of the tour. This includes your bed as well as breakfast and dinner. We offer the classic tours as well. (The New York Times) If you haven't experienced the enjoyment of hut-to-hut, then this is a must read. The Alta Via 1 is Italy's highlight long-distance hiking trail and leads awe-struck hikers through the Dolomites from north to south. This 4-day hut-to-hut hike across the Kamnik Alps is for hikers who crave something challenging and altogether adventurous. Headlamp: An essential for any trip, really. These huts are visited in early July by Michelin-star chefs from around the world, who prepare specialties with local ingredients for the guests. Depending on hiking experience, level of comfort required and specific request we'll plan the Hut to Hut according to your need. Inns tend to be more comfortable and akin to B&Bs. Instead, you’re staying in wonderful mountain hotels. Luckily, most every hut provides complementary “slippers,” which are often colorful Crocs (Pro Tip: act like a local and bring your own). Accommodation on the 7-day Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking Tour. During a recent summer, I took advantage of this opportunity, and spent eight nights in the Alps with nothing but a light daypack. This hut-to-hut tour promises to deliver mouthwatering calorie intake in the evenings, offset by breathtaking scenery and a good calorie burn during the day. Mountain huts typically offer dormitory style rooms. This is the perfect combination of exploring on your own, yet having someone help you plan a trip which is otherwise quite complex to put together. In Austria, there are many hut-to-hut treks already identified, known as High Routes, or “Hohenweg”. While the Bernese Overland region tends to be full of tourists, this route highlights the backcountry of the Bernese Overland and guides hikers quickly away from the hustle and bustle of the trains and gondolas. Also, majority of the mountain huts are closed before/after this time. Over 5000 miles of trails connect huts and villages throughout this part of the world. It’s also worth noting that many huts have drying rooms for your boots, socks, clothes etc, which can be super helpful after encountering unexpected weather. The hut-to-hut hike on the Alta Via 1 (AV1) is one of eight roughly parallel Alta Via routes through the Dolomites in Northern Italy. Thanks to these huts, high-altitude hikers no longer have to descend into the valleys at night, seeking shelter. In season (they're usually open from May or June until September or October, depending on snowfall) they can be hugely popular. Most of the huts only accept cash. & Tm Off, A Guide to Hut-to-Hut Hiking in the Austrian & Italian Alps, National Parks Inspired Activewear From Parks Project, Explore 2,700+ Vintage Outdoor Catalogs on 1 IG Account, A Prefab Cabin Designed to Protect Humans & Birds, Snow Peak x Toned Trout Fly Fishing Gear for Cool Kids, Explore Design and Nature at this Berkshires Retreat, A New, Old School Hiking Shoe for Daily Wear, https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/hut-to-hut-hiking-guide-austrian-italian-alps. You’ll never feel like the pack is weighing you down, or working against you. Book now : mtsobek.com. It’s a set meal rather than ordering from the menu, but not any less enjoyable. High alpine hiking experience is … For fit walkers looking for an adventure that is hugely rewarding in so many ways, a hut to hut trek is a must-do. If you love both food and hiking, look no further. The trails are well marked and easy to follow thanks to being worn in over thousands of years. You will stay in the best and smallest rooms available, but expect to share rooms with several people. The reservations generally weren’t binding, but it helps the wardens plan food and space. Hut to hut hikes are The “Best around Cortina” Hut Trek samples the best high-level trails along the Dolomites High Route #1 through the Sennes, Fanes and Averau / Nuvolau Range for 4 days, then a mid-trip break in Cortina followed by a traverse of the Sexten / Sesto Dolomites including the famous “Drei Zinnen / … Hut to hut hiking is extremely popular in Austria whereas the huts in Switzerland are not mountain hotels (like in Austria, Germany and some parts of Italy) but rather basic accommodation for alpinists. Best time for hiking in Slovenian mountains is from the end of June till the end of September. Rustic rooms with various numbers of beds are on the top two floors. They are required for all the huts so that they don’t have to wash their bedding every night (most just have a warm blanket, a small pillow and the mattress). Planning an enjoyable hut-to-hut hiking trip in the Julian Alps can be quite a challenge. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in the the Tyrolean Alps is known for its rugged beauty. This 10-day hiking tour loops around the highest mountain the in Alps, Mont Blanc, which towers over the surrounding landscape at … The Las Horquetas Circuit in the Cerro Castillo region of Chilean Patagonia is considered to be the wild alternative to the heavily traveled W- and O-Treks. Eating on the trail: The most economical way to eat is by opting for the Half Board (usually referred to as Half Pension or HP). And always pack rain/wind shell too. Hut-to-hut hiking is a breathtaking way to experience the European Alps. They usually open in the last week of June and remain open until late September. Rather than reserving your own spot for dinner, the hosts generally arranged tables, grouping together individual travelers so that no one eats alone. This is one of the hidden gems in the Alps. The Tour du Mont Blanc offers some of … You can still tack on desserts and drinks for extra. At Alpenventures UNGUIDED, our specialty is seeking out the lesser-known tours that only the locals know. Day-long hikes are great, but if you really want to get away from it all then we cannot recommend a hut to hut hiking trip enough. The Tour du Mont Blanc, or TMB as it is also called, is the most famous hut-to-hut hiking tour in the Alps, known for its quaint villages and impressive views. Follow Stephen on Instagram here. Needless to say, hut hiking is not a good idea during this moment. *2020 UPDATE: Traveling during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic increases your risk and the risk of those around you. Wild camping, or pitching your tent on the side of the trail, is officially prohibited, meaning that if you want to overnight in the backcountry, you have to stay in a hut. The Via Alpina is one of the most stunning long-distance trails in the world, but if you’re short on time and unable to take on the full 20-day hike, a shorter section of the trail makes for one of the most scenic hut-to-hut hikes in Switzerland. LAKES BLED & BOHINJ Experience a 7-day Hut-to-hut hiking journey in the Julian Alps, the northwestern corner of Slovenia with the best features of the Triglav National Park, the Julian Alps and the Via Alpina Trail. Hut Slippers: Wearing boots inside is not cool—hut system etiquette dictates you remove your boots when inside. Day Pack: REI 25L or 40L Trail Pack. It’s definitely possible to hike in June (at lower elevations), though you may encounter snow. The comfortable trails, friendly hut staff, and marmots seen along the way all add to the experience. Zillertal High Route. It works like Google Maps, but for hiking trails, allowing you to search for any hut. Trailhead: … Slovenia is essentially twisting your arm to stay in gorgeous alpine chalets, complete with flowery window boxes. Austria. The beauty of these routes is that you can hike for as many days as your knees can handle without descending from the mountains. The best months to hike in the Austrian Alps are July, August, and September. Likely the most dramatic and scenic trek of the Alps, the challenging terrain and relentless ascents, reserve this trail for fit and experienced hikers with plenty of grit. This 10-day hiking tour loops around the highest mountain the in Alps, Mont Blanc, which towers over the surrounding landscape at 4,808 meters above sea level. The recipes stay at the huts throughout the season. With walks in France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Slovenia, there are routes to suit every taste - from gentle and undemanding to long and tough, as well as all varieties of difficulty in between. Outdoor Active: A great resource to see the trails between any two points and for assessing rough estimates of hiking time. Hut to Hut Hike. Reservations are not required, and foot traffic varies by season, but it's usually a good idea. Unlike some guides to hiking in the Alps, [this book] gives the kind of advice and lore that mountain walkers can appreciate. ... Hut to hut hiking enthusiasts should consider trekking the celebrated Berlin High Trail or the Peter Habeler Route. Bring cash. European high level trekking at its best. Well, i… Animals in the Alps. Hiking hut-to-hut is common and it’s wise to book ahead if you’re walking in a popular area or during high season. Accommodations on this self-guided Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking Tour are primarily in mountain huts and occasionally hotels. AlpsHiker – Best Hut-to-Hut Hikes in the European Alps – France, Italy, and Switzerland. The hut system varies slightly from country to country—Italy had more wine and espresso, natch—but some things are consistent: the provided hut slippers, summit sunsets, and the camaraderie in the evenings. Most have 25 … The history of mountain refuge networks in the Alps—particularly in Italy and France —makes this a classic destination for hut hiking, and no peak here is more iconic to trekkers than the range’s tallest: Mont Blanc. Nor do they have to carry their own food or bedding. AlpsHiker – Best Hut-to-Hut Hikes in the European Alps – France, Italy, and Switzerland » About. The range lies to the southeast of Innsbruck ... Stubai High Route. Price: From $5,995 per person. (Note that many airlines do not allow trekking poles as carry-on luggage.). The Stubaier Höhenweg had its own website detailing each stage, for instance. Trekking and Hiking Hut to Hut is a magical experience and we offer the best hikes in Chile, Peru, Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy. Joining the Alpine Club gives you a rad membership card (sent via Royal Air Mail), discounts on almost all huts (outside of Austria as well; the clubs have reciprocal benefits), priority if the hut is filling up, and finally, insurance for mountain rescue (thankfully, something I did not experience). If you love both food and hiking, look no further. Hiking in the Alps means enjoying all the mountain huts have to offer, including warm meals and cozy beds. Hiking is a national pastime for Slovenians, which has led to an extensive and well-kept trail system. When is the best time to do hut to hut hiking in Slovenia? Ortler Ski Traverse. The weight is distributed perfectly. You don't need much, but even in summer, make sure you have layers in case temps drop. The Tour du Mont Blanc, or TMB as it is also called, is the most famous hut-to-hut hiking tour in the Alps, known for its quaint villages and impressive views. So, read on, make a plan, and hike later. Though oddly enough, I mainly used this to find my bed or the bathroom at night. Check out our guide to Summiting Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous U.S. Field Mag® is a registered trademark with U.S. Pat. Mountain Range: Julian Alps. Day Pack: REI 25L or 40L Trail Pack. Although you can piece together any hike you want by researching the trails between huts, for a first visit, undertaking a known route with plenty of online materials may be your best bet. When looking at hut prices, look for the term mitglieder, which means “member,” signifying discounted prices for Alpine Club members. The first half of July and September generally see few fellow hikers. Hut Finder: This site will help you search for a specific hut or discover huts in different areas, and provides contact info and other details for each. After spending four days and nights traversing ridge lines and climbing passes, I caught a train south across the border to hike a different style of mountain: Italy’s Dolomites. The weight is distributed perfectly. Many huts have their own flavors and it was a favorite toasting drink with hikers I met. The Stubai range is the next-door neighbor to the Zillertal. The Guttenberghaus was built in 1914 and is part of the Austrian Alpine Club. Nestled in a dramatic corner of the French Alps, snug against the Swiss border, and hours away from the hustle and bustle in the Mont Blanc region, this hut to hut hike in the French Alps delivers all the beauty, nature, and charm that your heart may desire. (Adventure Travel) The Osprey Kyte 36 (for women) and the Osprey Kestrel 38 (for men) are the best hut-to-hut hiking backpacks on the market. However, by mid-summer they can get very busy. Alpenwild features primarily independently owned, small hotels. On each day you can enjoy the high trails or reach a summit without the need to return to the valleys for food and shelter. The system of trails and huts is very well organized and allows you to hike for days on end with just a daypack of clothing and essential toiletries. Both of these are well made and include rain covers. Consider hut-to-hut hiking a chance to treat yourself. Even lesser known than the Julian Alps, the Kamnik Alps are Central Europe’s best-kept secret. For Americans, it’s probably easiest to join through the British chapter, which has an English application. This trek is an extension of the shorter, and equally famous, W-Trek. Self-guided adventures planned by local experts, We have over 3,300 kilometers of experience in the Alps, Alpenventures UNGUIDED is based near Munich, Germany. Most huts are situated between 2,000–3,000 meters: below the summits but very much above the rest of the world. Navigation Home Hiking tours Tour of mont blanc Dolomites alta via 1 Dolomites alta via 2 Tour of monte rosa Tour of the stelvio Tour of the oisans Berner oberland tour Hiker’s haute route Tour beaufortain Gran paradiso/vanoise Other great hiking tours Planning your trip About Contact. Traverse some of the most majestic terrain the Alps have to offer. Trekking Poles: If you're hiking days on end, these help save your knees. Traverse some of the most majestic terrain the Alps have to offer, enjoying the famous villages of Grindelwald, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, and Murren along the way. Most are 3- and 4-star hotels. It doesn't swing around and you don't have a strap digging into your shoulder. In addition to staying at charming mountain huts and inns, this route offers some of the best views Switzerland has to offer. 5 of our favourite hut-to-hut hikes: Complete Tour du Mont Blanc walking holiday. Hut-to-hut hiking through the Alps is incredibly fun and doable for the average hiker. Along the way are a multitude of comfortable mountain huts. The “pale mountains” offer unique experiences such as via ferrata, a climbing method utilizing iron hooks and rails installed by soldiers during World War I, as well as extraordinary displays of alpenglow, or enrosadira in the local dialect of Ladin.